Latest news with #CobusReinach
The South African
6 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Two Springboks who must fire or face the axe
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has made it clear that sentimentality will have nothing to do with selection as the team plans and prepares for the squad likely to head to the 2027 World Cup. Already we have seen the likes of Makazole Mapimpi, Lukhanyo Am and Faf de Klerk cut from the latest squad at the start of the Rugby Championship, with some veterans inevitably needing to make way for the 'next gen' of talent. With this in mind, there is no doubt that two players in particular need to make the most of their opportunities this season if they are to remain in the mix through to 2026 and beyond. Cobus Reinach Even at the age of 35, Reinach has remained in the Springbok picture to date, which is testament to the value that the national coaches clearly believe he offers. However, the fact of the matter is that Grant Williams and Morne van den Berg have made great strides in recent times, and that's without even factoring in other experienced options such as De Klerk and Jaden Hendrikse. When considering that Reinach will be 37 by the time the next World Cup rolls around, though, this really is the season where he needs to prove that age is just a number, especially considering the meteoric rise of Junior Springboks scrumhalf Haashim Pead. Jean-Luc du Preez Make no mistake, this is a big season for Du Preez. At the age of 29 and with 14 Test caps to his name, this is either the point where he pushes on and establishes himself as a fixture in the Springbok team, or continues to be a yo-yo man of sorts who falls in and out of the squad. His versatility to play across the back row is of great value, and with a few No 8s currently unavailable, it's a real opportunity for him to bank some meaningful game-time in that position. If he can prove to be consistently impactful, this could be a real breakthrough season for JLDP. If it's not, it's likely the axe will fall once again. Forwards: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Jean-Luc du Preez (Bordeaux Begles), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Vincent Koch (Sharks), Siya Kolisi (Sharks), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Wiese (Vodacom Bulls). Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Ethan Hooker (Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Manie Libbok (Hanazono Kintetsu Liners), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Handre Pollard (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Reinach (Stormers), Edwill van der Merwe (Sharks), Morne van den Berg (Lions), Grant Williams (Sharks), Damian Willemse (Stormers). Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
News24
24-06-2025
- Sport
- News24
Stormers add to loose forward stocks with signing of Ruan Ackermann
The Stormers have signed Ruan Ackermann from English club Gloucester to strengthen their loose forward options for the 2025/26 season. Stormers director of rugby John Dobson praised Ackermann's work ethic and is confident he will excel and become a fan favourite. Ackermann expressed his excitement for his new challenge, pledging full commitment to contributing positively to the Stormers' success. For more URC news, visit our dedicated section. The Stormers announced the signing of Ruan Ackermann on Tuesday, bolstering their stocks at loose forward for the 2025/26 season. Ackermann returns to South Africa after playing for Gloucester in the English Premiership, where he made over 170 appearances for the club. He is one of several new additions for the Cape-based franchise, who earlier this year announced the arrival of Springboks Cobus Reinach (scrumhalf) and Ntuthuko Mchunu (prop) for next season. Stormers director of rugby John Dobson was delighted with the addition of the powerful loose forward to his squad. 'Ruan is a proven performer who puts in the kind of hard work that our game model requires. Our fans can expect complete commitment from him for every minute he spends in our jersey,' he said. 'We are very excited to see the impact he will make here, and I'm confident that he will become a firm favourite at DHL Stadium.' 🫡 We will welcome all-action loose forward @RuanAckermann to the fold next season. #iamastormer — DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) June 24, 2025 Ackermann said he was looking forward to a new chapter in his career, adding that he was committed to giving everything for his new franchise. 'The support for rugby in Cape Town is second to none and there are obviously some incredible players and coaches there, so I am looking forward to what should be an exciting new journey for me and my family. 'I'm ready to give everything I have to the cause and make a positive contribution in any way I can as part of what will be a strong squad next season.' The Stormers start their URC campaign on Friday, 26 September, against defending champions Leinster in Cape Town. Show Comments ()
The South African
24-04-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Springboks SIGNINGS: THREE massive moves!
Springboks stars are worth their weight in gold to prospective clubs in SA and all over the world. Springboks stars are on the move. Let's take a look at the latest big Bok deals lined up. Springboks flyhalf and legendary flyhalf, Pollard has signed a new contracts with the Bulls. Meaning, he is set to return to Loftus and South Africa in one of the most highly-anticipated moves in world rugby. Not just right now, but of all-time. The two-time Rugby World Cup champion has also won two Rugby Championships and a British & Irish Lions series winner. Moreover, he kicked one of the coldest winners in the history of World Rugby in 2023. With the Boks trailing 15-13 and under two minutes to go in a rainy and intense RWC semi final against the English in Paris, Pollard stepped up to kick the winner. Pressure is his daily breed. He is the epitome of cool, calm and collected so it is no surprise he has world rugby talking. Springboks scrumhalf, Cobus Reinach has officially signed a contract with the Stormers. Therefore, we have another double Rugby World Cup winner returning to SA. 'Cobus is a premier talent and we are thrilled to have someone of his quality coming in to bolster our squad,' Stormers CEO Johan le Roux confirmed. 'While the primary focus will always be on developing local talent, it is also important that our coaching staff are on the look-out for strategic acquisitions at the top end of the game that will help take us forward,' he added. The Sharks have signed exclierrating speedter, Edwil van der Merwe. So, they have added another Bok to an already stacked squad. The Sharks currently boast the likes of Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Vincent Koch, Trevor Nyakane, Eben Etzebeth, Grant Williams, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Makazoke Mapimpi, Andre Etserhuizen, Lukhanyo AM and Aphelele Fassi in their ranks. Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
